He said making sure personnel had useful skills for the outside world and were more independent might significantly reduce the costs, but predicted they could not be wiped out completely.

The study found veterans of all ages and ranks could struggle, though the worst affected were often young veterans who had left early.

Mr Lock said soldiers, sailors and airmen can join up as young as 17 and are cocooned from civilian life when they are in the forces. As well as missing the camaraderie and identity of the Armed Forces, they can struggle to deal with rent, bills and planning.

One veteran told researchers: “There’s a stigma attached with saying you are leaving and there’s stigma attached with going to ask for help."

Another said: “When you have just decided to leave and your head’s all over the place and you are wondering if you have done the right thing, they want you to tell them what you want to do when you leave.”

The report found the culture shock for those leaving the forces has been underestimated.

Andrew Curry, author of the report, said: “Even those who have gone through a good transition said they found their experience of civilian life and the workplace to be a shock.”